Sn-Modified Ferritic Stainless Steel Battery Can Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealed batteries face challenges in achieving adequate corrosion resistance and cost-effectiveness, particularly in materials like Ni-plated steel and austenitic stainless steel, which are either prone to rusting or expensive, and require complex cooling processes for laser welding, increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A sealed battery using a cell can made of ferritic stainless steel with added Tin (Sn) for enhanced corrosion resistance, combined with a sealing method involving a flat metal sealing plate and gasket for efficient laser welding, reducing processing time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Ni-plated steel or austenitic stainless steel is used for the cell can, then corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases or pin holes are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by specifying a ferritic stainless steel with specific composition ranges (Cr: 12-20%, Mo: 0.5-2.0%, Ti: 0.01-0.5%, Al: 0.01-0.5%, C: 0.03-0.1%) to achieve optimal corrosion resistance while avoiding the cost of Ni-plated steel and austenitic stainless steel. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining ferritic stainless steel base metal with specific alloying elements (Cr, Mo, Ti, Al, C) to achieve enhanced corrosion resistance. This composite approach provides the performance of expensive materials at lower cost, resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If laser welding is used for sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but electrolyte creeping occurs during welding process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the sealing plate with a specific structure (protrusion fitting into recess, orifice configuration) that prevents electrolyte creeping before it can cause harm during the laser welding process. The sealing structure is designed in advance to counteract the harmful effect of electrolyte movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plate acts as an intermediary element between the cell can and the external environment, with its specific structure (protrusion, recess, orifice) mediating to prevent electrolyte creeping during laser welding while maintaining sealing reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If ferritic stainless steel is used for the cell can, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but corrosion resistance may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by specifying precise composition ranges for ferritic stainless steel (Cr: 12-20%, Mo: 0.5-2.0%, Ti: 0.01-0.5%, Al: 0.01-0.5%, C: 0.03-0.1%) to achieve adequate corrosion resistance while maintaining low manufacturing cost. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The Sn-added ferritic stainless steel cell can provides superior corrosion resistance and reduced processing time for laser welding, resulting in cost-effective sealed batteries with improved sealing performance and reliability under high temperature and humidity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the battery jacket can is made of ferritic stainless steel to which Tin (Sn) is added... provides superior corrosion resistance... Sn-added ferritic stainless steel cell can provides superior corrosion resistance
Implementation Method 2
a sealing method involving a flat metal sealing plate and gasket for efficient laser welding... upper end of the edge section of the sealing plate being laser-welded to an upper end of the battery jacket can... efficient laser welding
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a sealed battery having excellent corrosion resistance and sealing performance. The sealed battery 1 includes a battery jacket can 2 having a bottom and being in a cylindrical or polyhedral shape. The battery jacket can 2 also serves as a collector of one of the electrodes. The battery jacket can 2 has an opening pointing upwards and accommodates active parts (3, 4, 5 and 20). The opening is sealed by a sealing part 10 that includes a flat metal sealing plate 6, a gasket 9 made of an insulator, and a terminal part 7 of the other electrode. In the sealing part, the terminal part is attached to the sealing plate 6 using the gasket 9. The sealing plate has a planar shape that matches a shape of the opening of the battery jacket can. The sealing plate is in a saucer shape whose edge section is bent upwards. An upper end of the edge section of the sealing plate is laser-welded to an upper end of the battery jacket can while the sealing plate being inserted inside the opening of the battery jacket can. The battery jacket can is made of ferritic stainless steel to which Tin (Sn) is added.